
177 Starting and driving
ESP indicator lightThe   indicator light in the tachometer 
comes on for a short period of time when the 
ESP system is operative.
Operation of the ESP indicates reduced 
cohesion between the tires and the road, 
and that extra care should be taken by the 
driver.Turning ESP offThe system can be turned off manually with 
the ESP button, whereupon the   light 
on the main instrument panel will come on. 
The ESP system cannot be switched off if 
the car is travelling faster than 35 mph 
(60 km/h).
The ESP is always operative during brak-
ing, even if it has been switched off manu-
ally.
WARNING
When driving normally, ESP will help to 
improve the stability of the car. This does 
not mean that car can be driven faster. 
The same care and prudence as normally 
applied should be displayed on cornering 
and when driving on slippery roads.
NOTICESuspension modifications, such as 
changing the type of wheels, dampers or 
springs, can affect the function of the ESP 
system.
Always consult a Saab dealer before 
changing any suspension components.
IB1841
Increased stability with ESP.
The system applies the brakes to the 
wheels as shown to prevent the car from 
skidding
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193 Starting and driving
Saab Parking 
Assistance(Option)The parking aid system facilitates parking 
and reversing. There are four sensors in 
the rear bumper that detect objects up to 6 
feet (1.8 metres) behind the car.
The system uses four sensors in the rear 
bumper. These emit ultrasound signals that 
bounce back to the sensors off any objects 
behind the car. The system, however, 
cannot always detect small or narrow 
objects or objects that do not reflect ultra-
sound back towards the car, such as pipes, 
or the corner of a house or rectangular post.The system is activated automatically when 
reverse is engaged or selected. When the 
sensors detect an object within the moni-
tored area, the SID will display the text 
"PARK ASSIST" and pulses of sound 
(-----) will be heard. The frequency of the 
pulses increases as the car comes closer to 
the object. 
When the distance to the object is less 
than 12 in. (30 cm), a continuous tone 
will be heard.When an object is approximately 3 feet 
(90 cm) from the car, the sound pulses 
change character markedly. A distance of 
about 3 feet (90 cm) is suitable if you wish 
to load or unload the luggage compartment.
If the distance between an object and the 
corner sensors does not change for three 
seconds, e.g. if you are reversing alongside 
a wall, the system will switch to monitoring 
straight back. The system indicates if the 
distance to the wall decreases again.
WARNING
Responsibility always lies with the driver 
when reversing.
 Saab Parking Assistance can facilitate 
reversing at low speeds, such as when 
reverse parking.
 Bear in mind that small and/or narrow 
objects cannot always be detected by 
the system.
NOTICEReverse slowly so that you have time to 
stop the car when the continuous tone is 
heard at approx. 12 in. (30 cm).
IB1299
Area monitored by the sensors seen from 
the side
IB1300
Area monitored by the sensors seen from 
above
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194 Starting and drivingThe system can be disengaged for when 
driving with a trailer. Press and hold the 
CLEAR button on the SID when the display 
shows "PARK ASSIST", until the display 
shows "PARK ASSIST OFF". The system is 
re-engaged in the same way. The system is 
also always activated when the ignition key 
is turned to ON. 
Pressing a SID button briefly will not disen-
gage the system, the display will simply 
show the previously selected function.Ice, snow and dirt can affect the sensitivity 
of the sensors. In such cases a continuous 
tone will sound warning the driver that the 
system cannot measure the distance to an 
object. You can turn the system off by press-
ing and holding the CLEAR button for 
1.5 seconds. 
If the text "PARK ASSIST FAILURE" is dis-
played on the SID, have the system 
checked by an authorized Saab dealer.NOTICETo function well, the sensors must be kept 
clean. Ice snow and dirt can affect their 
sensitivity.
Do not spray the sensors or closer than 
8 in. (20 cm) to the sensors with a pres-
sure washer, as this could damage them.
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206 Car care and technical informationCoolant The expansion tank is transparent to facili-
tate checking of the coolant level. 
When the engine is cold, the coolant must 
not lie over the KALT/COLD mark on the 
expansion tank.
If the message ”FILL COOLANT FLUID” is 
displayed on the SID, check the level of fluid 
in the expansion tank.
Top up, as necessary, with equal parts of 
clean water and Saab-approved coolant.
If the expansion tank is empty when coolant 
is added, run the engine to normal temper-
ature and top up again, as necessary.
Coolant The cooling system is charged at the factory 
with coolant containing a 50 % concentra-
tion of a combined antifreeze and corrosion 
inhibitor. A weaker mixture will result in 
reduced anticorrosion protection. For pro-
tection against freezing in very cold 
weather, a stronger concentration will be 
needed.
A 60 % concentration of antifreeze will pro-
vide protection at temperatures down to  
-58 F (–50°C).
The coolant does not normally have to be 
changed during the service life of the car. 
The type of coolant used has a reddish color 
and should not be mixed with other types of 
coolant. Saab Original coolant should be 
used all year round. Only use coolant 
approved by Saab. Note:
If incorrect coolant is used or added, the 
life-time properties will be affected. Even if 
the coolant is flushed from the system and 
replaced with life-time coolant, life-time 
properties are no longer retained and the 
coolant must then be drained and replaced 
at regular intervals.
 
WARNING
 Proceed with caution if the radiator is 
boiling when you open the hood. 
Never remove the expansion-tank 
filler cap when the radiator is boiling. 
 The cooling system is pressurized – 
hot coolant and vapor can escape 
when the filler cap is released. These 
can cause injury to your eyes and 
burns. Loosen the cap carefully, and 
let the engine cool before removing 
the cap.
 Exercise care when adding coolant. 
Coolant on hot surfaces constitutes a 
fire risk.
NOTICEAlways mix the antifreeze with the 
appropriate volume of water before 
adding it to the cooling system.
If pure antifreeze is added, the engine 
could still freeze and be damaged. This is 
because the antifreeze will not mix 
properly with the coolant before the 
thermostat has opened to allow full 
circulation.
IB1338
Coolant expansion tank 
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271 Specifications
Several of the systems in your Saab 
car can be adjusted to better fit your 
individual needsSome functions are governed by legal 
requirements and cannot therefore be 
reprogrammed.
Consult an authorized Saab dealer for fur-
ther information.
Car alarm/central locking system:
 The sound level of the siren when locking/ 
unlocking, HIGH or LOW.
 The number of blinks when locking/ 
unlocking, 1 to 7.
 Automatic locking of the trunk when the 
car is driven, 1 to 8 mph (2–14 km/h), YES 
or NO.
 Preclude the unlocking of the trunk while 
the car is driven, YES or NO.
 Automatic locking of the trunk after 
1 second–4 minutes if it has not been 
opened, YES or NO.
 Automatic locking of the trunk when it is 
closed, YES or NO.
 Automatic locking of all doors when the 
car is driven above 7.5 mph (12 km/h), 
YES or NO.Saab Information Display:
 Outdoor temperature display can be 
adjusted.
Miscellaneous:
 Select the on-time for heated rear seat.
 Coolant temperature gauge adjustment 
can be increased/decreased.
 Fuel level gauge adjustment can be 
increased/decreased.
 Additional sweep of the wipers after wind-
shield washer function (ON or OFF).
 Follow me home on-time can vary from 20 
to 50 seconds.
 Night panel illumination deactivation 
speed for the speedometer can be 
adjusted.
Following adjustments can be done 
by the driver:Automatic Climate Control (ACC):
To alter the preprogrammed ”AUTO” start 
up mode with your own preferences you can 
manually select the desired settings for:
 Temperature.
 Fan speed.
Air distribution.
See ”Programming I” on page  83 and ”Pro-
gramming II” on page  84.
Saab 9-5 Audio System (see page  105):
 Maximum starting volume (when the 
radio is switched on).
 Telephone volume (if the car is equipped 
with a phone connected to the audio sys-
tem).
 Speed dependent volume (volume 
increases or decreases with vehicle 
speed).
 Loudness.
Alarm system:
The glass breakage sensor can be tempo-
rarily disabled, see page  49.
Daytime Running Lights:
To disable, turn off the ignition and pull out 
fuse 35, see page  228.
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275 Index
Light switches
 ___________________ 71
Luggage-compartment lighting
 _____ 134
MMain instrument panel
 _____________ 56
Main/dipped beam
 _______________ 71
Maintenance schedule ___________ 254
Manual gearbox, technical data
 ____ 264
Maxi fuses
 _____________________ 227
Milometer ______________________ 62
Motoring abroad
 ________________ 248
NNight Panel
 _____________________ 69
OOil capacity, engine
 ______________ 260
Oil change, engine ______________ 204
Oil specification
 _________________ 260
OnStar
 ________________________ 111
Outdoor temperature
 ______________ 65
Owner assistance
 _______________ 255
PPaintwork, touching-in
 ____________ 245
Parking Assistance
 ______________ 193
Parking lights
 ___________________ 71
Plates and labels ________________ 269
Poly-V-belt
 ____________________ 211
Power steering _________________ 208Power-steering fluid
 _____________208
Pressure gauge
 __________________64
Programming I, ACC
 ______________83
Programming II, ACC _____________84
Programming the ACC ____________83
QQuestions on function of airbag
 _____39
Quick guide, Audio System
 _________91
RRadiator fan
 ____________________211
Radio
 __________________________94
Rain sensor
 _____________________75
Rear fog light ____________________72
Rear seat, 9-5 Sedan, folding
 ______139
Rear seat, 9-5 Wagon, folding _____142
Rear-seat head restraints
 __________16
Rear-view mirror, antidazzle _______129
Rearview mirrors
 ________________125
Reclamation
 ___________________248
Recommendations for cars with 
automatic transmission, 
towing a caravan or trailer
 ________182
Refuelling
 _____________________158
Relay panel ____________________229
Remote control __________________42
Remote-control battery, changing
 ____45
Remove the key
 ________________152
Reporting safety defects
 __________256
Reprogramming of systems _______271Reservoir, power-steering fluid
 ____ 208
Rev counter
 ____________________ 62
Reversing lights
 _________________ 74
Roof load
 _____________________ 185
Running-in ____________________ 178
SSID
 __________________________ 65
Saab 9-5 Audio System
 ___________ 89
Saab Information Display (SID)
 _____ 65
Saab Parking Assistance
 ________ 193
Safety belts
 ____________________ 17
Safety belts, care of
 _____________ 243
Safety-belt pretensioners
 _________ 18
Safety-belt reminder
 _____________ 17
Seats
 _________________________ 12
Securing a load
 _________________ 46
Selector lever indication, 
automatic transmission
 __________ 65
Sentronic, manual mode _________ 167
Service costs
 __________________ 255
Service information
 _____________ 256
Service intervals
 _______________ 254
Service record retention
 _________ 255
Settings, seats
 __________________ 12
Side airbags
 ___________________ 36
Signalling, horn ________________ 124
Sliding floor, 9-5 Wagon
 _________ 147
Snow chains
 __________________ 179
Spare wheel __________________ 236
Spare wheel and tools
 ___________ 149
Spark plugs
 ___________________ 263
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